The study, published Dec. 28, analyzed workforce data from a 2014-2018 survey.
The study found the percentage of active female dentists increased from about 25 percent in 2009-2013 to 31 percent. The mean age of female dentists was 43.3, compared to the mean age of male dentists at 52.2. Female dentists were also more likely to be racially and ethnically diverse, with a higher percentage being non-white, from a foreign country and bilingual.
Margaret Langelier, Oral Health Workforce Research Center co-deputy director, said in a Jan. 24 post from the American Dental Association that clinicians who are representative of the communities they serve can help address the needs of patients from diverse backgrounds.
